The City of Steinbach, with the Province of Manitoba, is in the process of reconstructing the intersection located at Loewen Boulevard and Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12.
In June, a virtual Open House was hosted to discuss an overview of the project and to answer questions from residents. See below for a list of questions and answers from the event and other common inquiries.
Watch the virtual Open House View the Open House Presentation
Why was the construction of the project delayed?
Additional scope was added to the project, which was primarily the conversion of the existing overhead Hydro service to underground. The project was delayed until the design was finalized and the funding for the project was confirmed.
Why are the hydro lines going underground?
To maintain and improve the safety of the intersection, the hydro poles had to be removed.
By adding in the additional lanes at the intersection, the clearance between the travel lane and the hydro poles was below the standards set forth by MTI. Given the constrained right of way, the hydro poles had to be removed to keep the intersection safe.
This conversion has the added benefit of improving the aesthetics of the area.
Why is construction going to take 2 years to complete?
The scope of this project and the area being worked on is very large. All the underground infrastructure is being renewed and the surface works are being reconstructed. One construction season would not be long enough for all this work.
The staging required for this project to maintain access to businesses and allow traffic to travel through the intersection adds to the time required.
The contractor has scheduled two underground crews so the water reconstruction and the sewer reconstruction will occur at the same time. They also have scheduled a sub-contractor to start on the land drainage and box culverts while the water and sewer are being reconstructed.
When will Loewen Boulevard be closed during Phase 1?
According to the proposed construction schedule, Loewen Boulevard, west of PTH 12, will be closed sometime in mid-to-late July.
When Loewen Boulevard from Home Street to PTH 12 is closed, where are residents in that area expected to park and how will they access their homes?
The City’s intent is to provide access to homes and approaches for as long as possible. When construction is happening immediately in front of their property, they will need to park on the streets outside the construction area, such as Hanover Street, Home Street and Home Street North.
Has any consideration been given to adjusting traffic light timing at the intersections of Industrial Road & PTH 52 and Acres Drive & PTH 12 to help with congestion on these routes as they are being used to bypass the construction?
The City of Steinbach has been in contact with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI), who is the authority that controls signalization. They are aware of potential changes to traffic patterns and will monitor and adjust as best they can.
For traffic heading west on Loewen Boulevard, why is there no dedicated lane for traffic turning north?
There is no physical room geometrically to safely provide a turning lane and pedestrian movements. The City attempted to secure extra land to provide this but was unable to reach an agreement with the landowner.
What is the plan for this intersection during winter between the two phases?
Phase 1 of the staging plan is scheduled to be completed Fall 2024 and Phase 1 surface works and traffic signals installation are expected to be completed in Fall 2024.
Phase 2 of the project is expected to start in Spring 2025.
Provided there are no complications or delays, the expectation is that the intersection will be fully open during the winter.
Will there be any delays or change to the timeline?
Due to the active nature of the project, changes and delays are inevitable. We will try our best to stick to the provided timelines. We will keep the public and those directly affected as informed as possible. Check our website or social media accounts for updates on the project.
Will any other methods of notification be made for those residents who may not have internet access?
If the contractor cannot make personal contact at a residence or place of business, a door hanger with the notification will be left at the building, regarding loss of water or access.
Efforts will be made to share significant travel management updates with local news and media (radio and newspaper) to hopefully spread information throughout our community in a timely manner, regardless of access to internet.
Additionally, the public is encouraged to visit City Hall or call the Engineering Department at 204-346-6578 with any further questions or concerns.
What safety measures will be in place to protect pedestrians and motorists during construction? And how is pedestrian access accommodated during construction?
There will be reduced speeds in the construction zone; traffic signage in the construction zone will be set up according to standards and will provide the information needed for motorists and pedestrians to understand and navigate the area under construction.
Pedestrian access will be treated similarly to road construction; some sidewalks will be closed for safety during construction and pedestrians will be asked to use alternative routes.
Will there be significant noise and dust from construction activities? How will this be mitigated?
There will be some noise and dust created by the construction activities. Construction noise will typically follow the City’s Noise By-laws and only be generated during the day and would not occur at night. The noise generated by the construction activities will typically come from equipment, such as excavators, graders, trucks, pumps, hydro vacs, etc.
The contractor is experienced and is expected to minimize the dust during excavation by implementing dust and particulate control measures according to Manitoba’s regulations. Vehicle speeds will also be limited in the construction area to reduce the generation of dust from traffic. Water may also be applied to the area to prevent airborne dust.
Will there be disruptions to utilities (water, sewer, electricity, gas)?
There will be temporary disruptions to water services as the water main is being renewed. Properties that are directly affected will be placed on temporary water services during the reconstruction of the water main. A minimum of 24-hours advance notice will be provided before any anticipated loss of water service.
With the conversion of overhead Hydro service to underground in the project area, there may be temporary disruptions to the electrical service. Hydro will coordinate with the properties as they complete the switchover. There are no currently anticipated disruptions to gas services.
Will water shutdowns or interruptions be conducted during daytime hours, or other time periods?
Water shutdowns will typically occur during daytime hours during the week. Any temporary non-emergency loss of water requires the contractor to provide a minimum of 24 hours’ notice.
How will garbage collection and other services be affected?
Care will be taken to ensure that garbage will be collected in a timely manner— however, it may not occur at the regular scheduled times. The project team will coordinate with the contractor, rate payers and the Solid Waste Department to minimize disruptions to garbage collection services and any other services.
How will emergency services access the area?
The City, the consultant, and the contractor work together to inform emergency services of any changes to the traffic management plan in the construction area. This includes lane closures, direction of travel and detours. Emergency services should always have access to the area. If needed, and provided that it is safe to pass through, the contractor would move the barricades out of the way to provide access to an area.
How will environmental impacts due to construction activities be minimized?
Pollution from dust will be controlled and managed according to Manitoba regulations, and materials that can be reused from the old infrastructure will be reclaimed and reused.
What is the soil remediation plan?
The City’s consultant created a soil and groundwater management plan to be followed during the reconstruction of the intersection. This plan included an investigation into the soil and groundwater in the area to identify potential contamination based on gas stations and fuel tanks operating there previously.
The plan also includes soil and groundwater quality guidelines, sampling and monitoring criteria, and it identifies areas where contaminated soils have a higher likelihood of being encountered.
The plan, and subsequent report, also outline the strategy to remediate the area if required. This includes removing any contaminated soil and bringing it to a specialized soil remediation facility.
Any plans for landscaping or green infrastructure improvements?
Any areas affected by construction will have their landscaping restored but no additional landscaping is included with this project.
Splash strips will be added to the median. The additional concrete along the edge will improve the look of the medians and take care of the dead grass that is killed by the salt used on the roads in winter.
How can residents provide feedback or raise concerns?
If any residents have any feedback, concerns, general questions, or site-specific questions, they can contact the City’s Engineering Department by emailing engineering@steinbach.ca, calling 204-346-6578, or using the form on our Contact page and selecting “Engineering” under “Department”.
